CHAPTER 18

Andrew had to hand it to Paul; his idea to get Monica redecorating was brilliant and the agent managed to have paint and supplies at the house within an hour after Monica said she wanted to do it. The blond angel noticed the small, sort of satisfied grin on his friend’s face, and had a feeling that their little act to get her painting had been fairly transparent as far as she was concerned. However, he didn’t care if she knew, he was just glad that she seemed genuinely happy to have something to do.

“First we need to take down those curtains,” she directed, standing in the middle of the kitchen and swiveling around with one hand on her hip and the other at her chin. “Hmm… and then I think I’ll start painting over on that wall.” She pointed to one of the inside walls that only had one doorway.

“You’re the boss,” Paul joked.

“Well for the moment, anyway,” she smiled back. “I think I’m going to need a ladder for those tall bits,” she continued, pointing at the top part of the wall.”

Paul’s eyes narrowed, suddenly thinking that perhaps this was not the best idea. “I don’t know about that. I’m sure Andrew or I can get those parts.”

The force ten glare that she sent his way was enough to make him take a step back and Andrew stifle a laugh. “I am quite capable of climbing a ladder,” she insisted. “I’m not even afraid of heights.”

Paul held up a hand to forestall any more arguing. “Okay, okay, I’ll get you a ladder. The place is all yours.”

She winked at him, innocently, and the agent felt his heart speed up. “I wouldn’t go that far,” she said. “I wouldn’t mind a little help,” she said with a grin.

Andrew, witnessing the little exchange, and knowing that Monica was just being her usual sweet and naïve self, felt his stomach clench. He was quite sure that Paul would not see it that way. In fact, even from his vantage point across the room, he could see that the man was beginning to get a slight blush through his cheeks.

“I’ll go and get the ladder,” he said, needing the air as much as anything else. “I think I saw one out in the garage when we pulled in.”

Monica gave him a little wave, and then turned to her paint cans and pans and rollers. “Now,” she said, just a little doubtfully, having never actually painted anything before, “I think if I’m careful I should have enough to do the whole room.”

Paul burst out laughing as he cast his eye along the five cans of paint a fellow agent had brought in. “Monica, you have enough paint there to do at least three kitchens. So knock yourself out.” He turned away briefly to gather up some rags, but looked over his shoulder at her, saying, “and I don’t mean that literally!”

She smirked at him, and then pried the lid off of one of the paint cans. She glanced down at the pale looking paint and a disappointed sigh escaped without her knowledge.

“What is it?” Paul asked, moving to her side.

“Nothing,” she said, putting on a smile, “I was just hoping for lilac. This will be fine… it’ll really lighten the place up.”

Paul reached over and grabbed a paint stick from one of the bags and went to work stirring the paint, trying to keep from laughing again. He watched the little angel out of the corner of his eye and saw her expression change to one of amazement as the color slowly swirled into the paint.

“How’s that?” he asked when he was sure it was done.

“Perfect!” she exclaimed. “I guess I haven’t actually done much painting… or any painting…” she admitted.

He grinned and looked into her smiling face. “That’s okay, I’m sure you’ll go a great job,” he declared.

She carefully poured out the paint and within a few minutes had managed to make a passable effort and painting the wall. Of course it was a bit uneven, and a bit drippy, but Paul didn’t want to spoil her fun when she was having such a good time. He only approached her when she stood back to look at her progress, hands on her hips, and a slightly puzzled look on her face.

“Problems?” he asked.

“It doesn’t look quite right,” she admitted. “What do you suppose I did wrong? Maybe a wee bit more paint,” she said, reaching for the roller.

“Nooo… I don’t think that’s the problem,” Paul said, keeping the humor in his tone to a minimum. “I think you’re laying it on a little thick actually. Here, let’s see you do it again.”

She stepped forward, paint roller in hand, and went to slop yet more paint on the wall, moving in a side to side pattern.

“Ok… I think I see your problem,” he said, reaching around to take hold of her hand. “You really want to go more up and down,” he said, directing her arm.

He honestly had only meant to give her a hand, but the feeling of her small body nestled so close to his chest, her hand within his own, it sent his heart racing again. He felt his hand involuntarily tighten around hers, hardly noticing that they had stopped moving.

“Oh!” Monica exclaimed. “I think I see what you mean.” She turned her head upwards to meet his eyes, and was only a little startled by the sudden closeness as Paul ducked his head slightly.

“Here’s the ladder!” Andrew announced, as he entered the room. He nearly dropped it on the floor when he saw Monica almost surrounded by Paul’s larger form, their faces only inches apart.

Monica looked over at him with a smile, her face radiant in her simple pleasure, “I think I get it now, Andrew!”

Thinking that she most certainly did not, Andrew just nodded his head, trying to curb his frustration, which was quickly beginning to overwhelm him. He was feeling very annoyed with Paul for pushing this issue with Monica and surprisingly annoyed with his best friend for not seeing what was happening. She had more than enough clues lately and he was finding it increasingly difficult to believe that she had no idea what was going on in Paul’s head. Though these were not emotions angels experienced, she had certainly observed them in humans before, but seemed to be completely missing it now that it was directed towards her. In addition to that, the fact that she appeared comfortable with the agent’s misguided attention was only allowing Paul to think she was enjoying it. Not that she wasn’t, but it was purely in the innocent way one would cherish the attention of a new friend.

Suddenly feeling very self conscious now that Andrew had returned, Paul released Monica’s hand and took a step back, “Now that you have it, I’m going to check with the guys and make sure everything is quiet. I won’t be gone long.”

Once Paul had gone, Monica cast a glance at her friend, who seemed intent on applying a coat of paint on the wall with a vengeance and her brow furrowed in concern, “Andrew?”

Her unasked question hung in the air for a moment, before he simply shook his head, not once looking at her, and the little angel’s eyes filled with hurt. She felt as if she had done something wrong, though nothing she could think of had happened to make him appear so stand-offish with her. Lowering her paint roller, she tried once more, “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” He replied simply, now irritated with himself, able to feel her hurt in his heart and not liking the fact that he was inflicting it.

“I beg to differ-.”

“Monica.”

It was a warning and she knew it. He didn’t want to be pushed at the moment, but this was out of character for him, and it stung terribly. Blinking back tears, she put her roller back into the pan and rolled the excess paint off of it, before slowly applying it to the wall once more. Her earlier happiness was gone as the few moments of stolen time with Andrew were being intruded upon by a culprit she couldn’t even identify. He was always warm and loving to her, and this sudden change in his demeanor concerned her and left her completely bewildered.

Feeling overwhelmed and needing a little distance as it was too hard to be in the same room with him when he seemed upset with her, she muttered a quiet “Excuse me,” as she laid down her roller and hurried out of the kitchen.

Shaking his head angrily at himself, Andrew laid down his own brush and drew in a deep breath, knowing he couldn’t leave things like this. He wasn’t really angry with her and he knew that while at the same time to tell her the full truth would be impossible as he couldn’t put that kind of pressure on her. He didn’t want her knowing of Paul’s feelings until it was unavoidable, but he could at least admit his own.

Finding her in the living room, auburn head lowered, he approached her and knelt down in front of her. Tilting her chin up with his fingers, his expression saddened at the sight of her tear-filled eyes that held a mixture of hurt and confusion.

“I’m sorry, angel,” He whispered regretfully, hating the absence of her earlier delight that he had erased.

“You’re upset with me,” Monica replied softly, knowing it was true, but not understanding why.

“No. That’s where you’re wrong,” He lowered his eyes for a moment before raising them again, not looking forward to being so painfully honest, “I guess…I guess I’m not accustomed to having to share you with anyone other than God and Tess, Angel Girl. I don’t like it.”

Her eyes widened at his words as she tried to wrap her mind around them, “Paul?”

He smiled ruefully as he nodded his head, “He enjoys your company and it’s his job to protect you and that is something I’ve always taken solely upon myself to do. It’s something I’ve loved doing, even though I know the Father does just fine by Himself without my help, but it’s always been one of my ways of being able to show you how much I love you. Now it is also in Paul’s place to do that and I’m ashamed to say that I’m not always comfortable with that,” He brushed back a strand of hair she had missed with her haphazard ponytail, which looked so natural it only added to the beauty God gave her, “And I suppose it doesn’t help that we have to be careful all the time either.”

“Oh Andrew..” She smiled sadly, her heart filling with so much love for him it ached. Taking his hands tightly into her own, she continued, “I like Paul, I really do, but I love you. You’re my dearest friend and I always prefer taking my troubles and my need to feel safe to you. I told Tess this morning that your being here was the saving grace of this entire mess and I meant that. If you weren’t here, I don’t know what I do or who I would talk to about what is on my heart. Guarding everything I say is more difficult than I could ever imagine, but know that given a choice, other than God, I’d chose you as my ‘protector’ every time.”

His smile widened as a slight blush rose to his cheeks, “Maybe I just needed to be reminded of that, angel. Paul’s training as an agent makes him a tough act to follow.”

Grinning, she disagreed gently, “That’s where you’re wrong. He’s a good man, but he doesn’t hold a candle to you.”

His blush deepened and he elected to hide by tugging her into his arms and hugging her tightly, “I’m sorry I hurt you. That is something I never want to do and never take it lightly when I do.”

“I just needed to understand, Andrew, and I’m glad you explained it to me,” She nestled into his arms, cherishing the feeling of love she always found there as she made a decision to be more careful with Paul. She knew Andrew was worried about her being in danger as it was, and she didn’t want to give him anything additional to feel badly about.

“I’m glad I did too. Now what do you say we go and paint a kitchen?” He asked, kissing the top of her head lightly.

“That sounds like a plan,” Monica agreed as she raised her head, but her face paled slightly as her eyes met with those of Paul, who was watching from the doorway, obviously having been looking for them.

“I was wondering where you two had wandered off to,” Paul said coolly, not daring to let his feelings override his professionalism. It was not an easy task, given that he had just witnessed his partner hugging the woman he had already admitted to having feelings for. He never would have guessed that Andrew would go behind his back.

Naturally, the thoughts behind Paul’s cold look never occurred to Monica, but she did realize that her current position with Andrew was not exactly what one would expect of two people who had only met a few weeks earlier. Then again, she remembered that Paul himself had hugged her the night before, to try to give her some comfort.

“I’m sorry, Paul,” she spoke up, ignoring the somewhat worried expression on Andrew’s face. “I was just feeling a little bit overwhelmed and I came in here to take a breather. I guess Andrew didn’t think I should be alone,” she smiled sweetly, thinking that it was not a lie; it wasn’t even stretching the truth. “I guess with you two watching out for me, I don’t need to worry about getting lonely,” she joked, trying to get a smile out of the agent.

Meanwhile, Andrew had managed to pull himself together, and he looked at Paul, judging his mood. The agent’s eyes had softened a bit, and he hoped that the man wasn’t going to read too much into their completely innocent embrace. “I didn’t want her just sitting in here getting herself all worked up again,” Andrew said, easing himself away from the angel, and standing up.

Paul looked back and forth between the two of them and let his shoulders relax, along with his jaw. He knew his partner well enough to know that he wouldn’t lie to him, and even if he didn’t the pure and innocent look on Monica’s face was enough to tell him that he had nothing to worry about as far as they were concerned.

“Are you feeling better now?” he asked, looking into her dark and shining eyes.

“Much,” Monica replied. “Good enough to get back to the kitchen and finish that painting job!”

Paul chuckled. “Well you don’t have to get the whole thing done in one afternoon! Take your time.”

Monica smiled, sensing that things were once again back on track. She did really enjoy Paul’s company, and she didn’t want him to be uncomfortable around either herself or Andrew. The only other option would have been to tell Paul about the fact that she and his partner were actually angels, and she really didn’t think that would go over very well without a little assistance from God.

The three of them went back into the kitchen, and soon they were all busy on different walls, covering over the dingy old paint with the pretty color that Monica had chosen. The little angel decided to show Andrew exactly why Paul had needed to give her a hand, and even he had to laugh over her “technique”.

“But I’ve gotten much better,” she insisted. “and look how much better it looks already.”

“It is a lot brighter and friendlier feeling,” Paul agreed, looking at the difference between the painted and unpainted areas. He glanced over at her and smiled. “You’ve got a little…” He reached over and swiped at the paint on the tip of her nose.

Monica giggled and her eyes lit up with glee as she suddenly grabbed his brush and dabbed a bit of paint on his own nose, and then turned to do the same to Andrew. “There!” she said, satisfied with herself. “Now we all match.”

Paul and Andrew both smiled at her indulgently, before Andrew went on the offensive and playfully flicked a bit more paint at her.

“Hey! No fair!” she exclaimed, laughing all the while.

“I disagree, Monica,” Paul said, sharing a look with Andrew. “All’s fair in love and painting,” he continued, and then proceeded to snatch back his brush and paint a little dot on each of her cheeks. He ducked out of the way when she tried to grab it back again, loving the sound of her laughter. When he glanced to his partner, he knew that he felt the same way, even if not for the same reasons, and knew it was well worth the price of a new shirt.